However, an unperturbed Naveen went ahead with his visit that saw tight security arrangements. He declared sops for the drought-prone Padampur sub-division of the district in a bid to smoothen ruffled feathers over possible bauxite mining in Gandhamardan hill range.

Addressing a public meeting at Paikmal High School ground, Naveen admitted that completion of the Ong river project was the only way to combat the recurring drought in the area. He said that while the project involves an expenditure to the tune of ` 1,000 crore, the government had sanctioned ` 10 crore but promised to expedite the project.

Informing that 21 per cent of the Padampur sub-division was irrigated, he said the Ong project once completed would irrigate 26,000 acres of land in 130 villages of five blocks. Disclosing that ` 50 crore have been sanctioned for minor irrigation projects, he said this would irrigate an additional 6,710 acres besides the ` 16-crore watershed project, which would benefit 1,500 farmers.

He also declared sinking 2,000 bore wells in the region which would help 4,000 farmers who have to deposit only 10 per cent of the cost. He also said that construction of as many as 200 check dams was on the anvil to mitigate drinking water problem in the sub-division besides facilitating irrigation. Reiterating the commitment of his government to mitigate sufferings of farmers, he said that his government was aware of problems of farmers and would leave no stone unturned to see that they prosper. However, the Chief Minister parried the issue of bauxite mining in Gandhamardan hill range.

Earlier in the morning, Paikmal police arrested 109 persons while they were taking out a rally to protest the CM’s visit.